The undisputed queen of sex, drugs and rock n' roll was also the voice of a generation who, when she overdosed on heroin at the age of twenty-seven in October 1970; became the posthumous icon of bad girl femininity for millions around the world.
Drawing on hundreds of interviews Echols renders Joplin in all her complexity, revealing how this sweet-voiced girl from Texas recreated herself, first as a gravely-voiced bluesy folksinger, and then as rock n' roll's first female superstar. Echols examines the roots of her musicianship and her efforts to probe the outer limits of life; declaring herself the first white-black person and pursuing sex with men and women alike.
Moving from the electric ballrooms of San Francisco to the mud-soaked fields of Woodstock, Joplin's story is also a chronicle of the revolutions of the sixties - a generation's experiment with high-risk living and the exacting price they ultimately paid for this. Written in a captivating novel-like style this is a deeply affecting biography of one of America's most talented, tormented and enduring stars.

* Review coverage in national and music press, style and women's magazines * Radio reading to be confirmed

About the Author
Alice Echols is a cultural critic and a historian of the sixties. She has taught at UCLA, USC and Occidental College and has written about rock music for the NATION and L.A. WEEKLY. She lives in Los Angeles.

Reviews
Finally a biography that doesn't downplay Janis's intelligence and deep knowledge of traditional American music ... how refreshing * Joan Osborne *
Fascinating and insightful ... Alice Echols analyzes Joplin's place in the sixties with skill and brings her rebellion and pain vividly to life * JON WIENER, author of COME TOGETHER: JOHN LENNON AND HIS TIME *
Forget everything you've ever read, heard or seen about Janis Joplin- Alice Echold has wirtten the definitve account of rock's first female superstar... enjoy it. * IRISH TIMES *
After reading this, the next time you hear the raw, emotional pain in Janis Joplin's voice, you will understand where it all comes from. * THE TIMES *



Book Information
ISBN 9781860497292
Author Alice Echols
Format Paperback
Page Count 432
Imprint Virago Press Ltd
Publisher Little, Brown Book Group
Weight(grams) 312g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 130mm * 32mm